current  |   archive  |   subscribe  |   Bonaire  |   disclaimer  |   email us  |  home

Entre Nous
Bonaire's Monthly Newsletter

Entre Nous is the monthly newsletter from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), Netherlands Antilles. In this newsletter you will find the accomplishments of TCB in Bonaire, North America, South America and Europe as well as the newest developments within the tourism industry.

We hope that you will read it with pleasure and if you have something that you think is relevant for the tourism sector to know just fax it to 717-8408 or e-mail to: info@tourismbonaire.com

(Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe)

Issue # 97
February, 2008

Inside this issue:

TCB BONAIRE

Local Report

TCB WORLDWIDE

TCB - Europe Report

TCB - New York Report

TCB - South America Report

NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

 

TCB Bonaire | Local Report

 

From the Director's Desk

Ms. Ronella CroesThe New Year has just started and it has been a whirlwind of activity at TCB.  January saw the kick off of the IYOR (International Year of the Reef).  On January 31, Tourism Corporation Bonaire and STINAPA hosted an International Year of the Reef ceremony at Wilhelmina Park where the Island's slogan for IYOR, "Bonaire, Leading By Example" was announced. (see the complete news release in this months Entre Nous).
 
The IYOR activities will be taking place during the islands unique Dive Into Summer Program which begins the first of June through Sept 30 and promises to be another successful event. We have planned a number of other events that visitors will be able to enjoy as part of their vacation. 
 
The other exciting news is the launch of TCB's official web site!  (see news release in this months Entre Nous).  www.tourismbonaire.com is just the beginning!  We have made a long term commitment to developing a complete, user friendly site for all our visitors, stakeholders and travel partners. A site where one can access information about all aspects of our island. 
 
This Saturday marks another milestone for Bonaire when we welcome the first flight of Delta Airlines to our shores.  There will be an official greeting of the passengers on Saturday hosted by TCB.  Minister of Economic Affairs and Labor of the Netherlands Antilles, Mr. Elvis Tjin Asjoe, and our Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Burney el Hage will be at the welcoming ceremony, among other.  It will be a full flight and bookings for the future are also looking very solid!

Efforts will continue to improve the airlift to the destination.

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire Ambassadors

To check out new Bonaire Ambassadors, please visit: www.bonaireambassador.com

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire announces program highlights of International Year of the Reef 2008

- Tourism Corporation Bonaire Partners with CORAL, Earth Echo, STINAPA and NOAA to Execute Events and Activities -
 
Kralendijk, Bonaire - (January 25, 2008) - Government officials from Bonaire joined coral reef experts and managers from the United States, Mexico and France to officially inaugurate the International Year of the Reef 2008 during a news conference as part of the International Coral Reef Initiative Meeting in Washington D.C. on January 24, 2008.

Joining the conference live from Bonaire via telephone were Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of STINAPA Elsmarie Beukenboom, and key stakeholders of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who are currently in Bonaire conducting research.

In 1997, Bonaire became IYOR's first partner in the Caribbean to establish a comprehensive plan dedicated to executing a program of public education about coral reefs, assessing the conditions of coral reefs and collaborating with local communities and other reef managers to develop and implement plans for the use of irreplaceable reef resources.  During that year Bonaire also hosted the International Year of the Reef's inaugural Dive Festival event.

As a focal point destination for the 2008 celebration of IYOR, Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) has joined forces with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), Earth Echo International, STINAPA and NOAA to execute a program that will continue the work that the Island began eleven years ago.

On January 7, NOAA began a mapping project, titled "Exploring Coral Reef Sustainability with New Technologies" that will create a baseline for which all other Caribbean reefs will be compared.  Bonaire is noted for having the most pristine coral reef environment in the Caribbean with the highest percent of coral cover and the lowest percent of algal cover.  NOAA's team of experts are conducting research using autonomous underwater vehicles and technical diving to explore greater depths than can be reached with conventional compressed air scuba diving.  NOAA will complete their research on January 30, 2008.  For more information, visit http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/08bonaire/welcome.html.

As part of the IYOR celebration, STINAPA recently announced the designation of two fish protected areas on Bonaire's reef to encourage the population growth of large fish species.  The locations were selected by a delegation including government officials and local fisherman using criteria that included the sites containing significant coral coverage and being easy to patrol by the Marine Park.  Later this year, STINAPA will begin giving free reef ecology courses for residents and interested visitors.  For more information, visit www.stinapa.org.

On January 31, Tourism Corporation Bonaire and STINAPA will host an International Year of the Reef ceremony at Wilhelmina Park where Government officials will announce the Island's slogan for IYOR, "Bonaire, Leading By Example."  Additionally, the first of twelve paintings created by school children with an IYOR theme will be unveiled.  Each of the twelve paintings will be on display throughout the year at various locations for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association also celebrated IYOR during their 11th Annual Awards Ceremony on January 24, 2008.  Guests were asked to dress in blue and green shades that represent the colors of the ocean.

Other IYOR activities taking place on Bonaire this summer during Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 include:
- International Year of the Reef Environmental Project: The Coral Reef Alliance, STINAPA, Earth Echo and TCB will work together to develop a summer-long overarching ecology project that will be launched during IYOR week, continued throughout the summer with monthly updates during each showcase week, and conclude during Love Our Planet Week with a press conference.
- International Year of the Reef Week: Taking place June 21-28, IYOR week will feature guest speakers Jan and Alexandra Cousteau from Earth Echo International who will give seminars and lead dives, and experts from CORAL that will give workshops.
- Love Our Planet Week: In conjunction with Clean Up the World Weekend, Love Our Planet Week will take place September 20-27 and will feature interactive presentations, activities and fish counts lead by CORAL representatives.

Details of these and other activities will be announced throughout the year.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean.  Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing.  And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire rings in the new year with the launch of an all new official website www.tourismbonaire.com

Kralendijk, Bonaire - (January 29, 2008) - Tourism Corporation Bonaire today announces the launch of their new official website www.tourismbonaire.com.  The site has been developed according to Bonaire's new branding guidelines, and provides visitors with easily accessible information while capturing the Island's friendly charm.

Visitors to the new website will be welcomed by some of Bonaire's most familiar faces and greeted with "Kon ta Bai?" which is the Papiamentu (Bonaire's native language) phrase for "how are you?"  This theme is continued throughout the site with profiles of Bonaire's image-builders including Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse, Mama Smile and artist Henk Roozendaal.  Each time a visitor returns to www.tourismbonaire.com they will be greeted by a different image-builder, new stories and dynamic photography.

Never has so much information about Bonaire been located on one site.  Each entity of the private sector (hotels, restaurants, car rentals, activity providers, etc.) has a designated area and through access with a username and password, these areas have been developed with their own style using the many choices available with the Island's new branding guidelines, and will be kept up to date with the most current information available to consumers.  All content on www.tourismbonaire.com is currently available in two languages: English and Dutch; and coming soon, all content will also be available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Bonaire's new website was developed by a volunteer team of international writers and website professionals and reviewed by a committee for quality assurance.  This initial launch of the website is of Version 1.0.  Version 2.0 will be launched later this year and will include more features including videos and interactive maps.  For more information about Bonaire's new official website, email Roosje van der Hoek at website@tourismbonaire.com.

^ Back to the top

 

TCB Worldwide | TCB - Europe Report

 

Linda Ferwerda wins the Pink Egg >

During the trade day of the vakantiebeurs TCB Europe honors a person or company for their positive contribution in promoting our Island. The Pink Egg is given to encourage our friends in the industry, and always goes to a partner of which we have big expectations for coming years. At Vakantiebeurs 2008 Linda Ferwerda from DuikeninBeeld.tv received ‘the Pink Egg’. We are looking forward to this year in which we start a very interesting and interactive online campaign together with Duikeninbeeld.tv.

^ Back to the top

 

< Bonaire Promotion Prize goes to: Bonaire Fun Travel (Coen de Rooij)

As the Pink Egg is a prize for encouragement, The Bonaire Promotion Prize is given to one of our esteemed associates that has made major contributions to our Island last year (or over the years). We decided that this edition of the Vakantiebeurs would be the last time the official certificate of the Bonaire Promotion Prize was given away. Next year we will come up with something totally different and refreshing to honor our most valuable partner. During the last several years, Coen the Rooij (Bonaire Fun Travel) and his team has been very helpful to us in our effort to promote Bonaire in our markets. Not a surprise Bonaire Fun Travel received the Bonaire Promotion Price already 3 times in the past!

As the whole team is still very committed and enthusiastic about Bonaire, this year, for the last time, we all can congratulate Bonaire Fun Travel with their prize!

^ Back to the top

 

Introducing new branding on Vakantiebeurs 2008 >

As the new Bonaire branding has kicked off in our market, we also introduced the new vertical banners (flags) at the Vakantiebeurs 2008. Several Image builders are portrayed on the banners. From Mama Smile to George Cultura, all famous Bonaireans are shown. And it turns out to be a real eye catcher! The banners, together with the new Kon ta bai? logo, resulted in many curious people visiting our stand.

^ Back to the top

 

< TCB sponsors Parking tickets on DuikVaker 2008

Again this year TCB Europe is sponsoring the ‘DuikVaker’-fair. Visitors of DuikVaker purchase a parking ticket when entering the Parking at the Voordorphallen in Utrecht for the biggest Diving fair in the Netherlands. As we did over the past view years, TCB will be all over the ticket, which is a nice opportunity for us to introduce the new branding to the diving industry. The visitors leave one part of the ticket behind in their car; with the other part they can get a free dive map at our Bonaire-booth.

^ Back to the top

 

Preparations for ITB 2008 started >

ITB is the biggest ‘business-to-business’ travel fair in Europe. It takes place from 5 March till 9 March 2008 as always in Berlin. TCB Europe will participate in the booth again this year. Together with Plaza Resort Bonaire, Caribbean Club Bonaire, Belmar Oceanfront and Buddy Dive Resort we will put our efforts in continuing the growth in tourism to Bonaire. As usual, our representative in the non-Dutch markets in Europe, Rob Al, will be in Berlin to represent TCB.

^ Back to the top

 

< Duikeninbeeld.tv in corporation with TCB starts interactive reporter’s campaign

As we just left the Vakantiebeurs behind us, Pink Egg-winner Linda Ferwerda of Duikeninbeeld.tv is in the Bonaire spotlight already. Together with TCB and Bonaire Fun Travel, Duikeninbeeld.tv starts a new interactive and competitive program in which reporters are invited to write a story about their favorite dive trip, dive spot, dive person etc. The reporter must contain not only copy, but also some visuals like nice pictures and if they like, video material. The winner can win a trip to Bonaire! Of course with one condition; they haveeto make a nice report about the winning trip! Go to www.duikeninbeeld.tv to learn more about the program.

^ Back to the top

 

Press coverage: Ivo Niehe visits Peter Tuinman

Bonaire got a lot of press coverage lately. Dutch celebs often visit Bonaire. Most of them don’t show up in the spotlight. This time 2 celebs did. Peter Tuinman (Dutch actor) and Ivo Niehe (famous Dutch TV-personality). In the TV Show op reis, we were given a little insight in the life of Peter on Bonaire.

^ Back to the top

 

TCB Worldwide | New York Report

 

Bonaire Makes a Splash at First Be A Diver Stop of 2008!

Patricia Rowan and Marie Rosa were on location representing Bonaire for the first Be A Diver Tour stop of 2008 at the Adventures in Travel Expo in New York City January 12-13. Pat and Marie hosted a breakfast for local dive retailers, promoted Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 and answered questions about the Island. On hand were calendars from Kiteboarding magazine that feature Bonaire during the month of November which were given to all attendees who stopped by the booth to chat. The next Bonaire sponsored Be A Diver Tour stop will be at the Adventures in Travel Expo in Los Angeles February 9-10, where Sarah Biggerstaff will be on site representing the Island.

^ Back to the top

 

The Delta Atlanta Gateway Launch is Just Days Away! >

We're just days away from the Delta Air Lines inaugural flight to Bonaire and excitement is building! TCB Board Member Jack Chalk will escort passengers to Bonaire on the non-stop flight that departs Atlanta on February 9. Prior to the flight, Jack and Marie Rosa, will welcome passengers flying that day with an early morning breakfast party on behalf of the destination in the Delta terminal. Upon arrival into Bonaire, passengers will be greeted a second time with authentic Bonairean hospitality by Burney El Hage, Commissioner of Tourism, and Elvis Tjin Asjoe, Minister of Labor and Economics, and their contingency.

^ Back to the top

 

< Bonaire Participates in International Coral Reef Initiative Press Conference

On January 24, government officials from Bonaire joined coral reef experts and managers from the United States, Mexico and France to officially inaugurate the International Year of the Reef 2008 during a news conference as part of the International Coral Reef Initiative Meeting in Washington D.C. Joining the conference live from Bonaire via telephone were Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of STINAPA Elsmarie Beukenboom, and key stakeholders of the NOAA who are currently in Bonaire conducting research.
 

In 1997, Bonaire became IYOR's first partner in the Caribbean to establish a comprehensive plan dedicated to executing a program of public education about coral reefs, assessing the conditions of coral reefs and collaborating with local communities and other reef managers to develop and implement plans for the use of irreplaceable reef resources. During that year Bonaire also hosted the International Year of the Reef's inaugural Dive Festival event. As a focal point destination for the 2008 celebration of IYOR, TCB has joined forces with the CORAL, Earth Echo International, STINAPA and NOAA to execute a program that will continue the work that the Island began eleven years ago.

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire EZ News

January's issue of Bonaire EZ News was distributed to our database of consumers and travel agents on the 24th of the month. The issue featured news from around the island and hotel packages.

^ Back to the top

 

Dive Newswire

Dive NewswireIn January one press release was distributed on Dive Newswire featuring general island, cuisine and hotel news. The press release was posted to the site and distributed on January 8. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically to more than 8,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers as well as media outlets. Additionally, the release was also distributed on DiverWire, the consumer newsletter of DiveNewswire that is emailed to a database of more than 1,500 subscribers.

^ Back to the top

 

Press Releases

As part of the ongoing press release program, Adams Unlimited researches, writes and prepares a steady stream of releases for mailings to the media for applicable editorial coverage based on editorial calendars and the need to disseminate timely news. In January one press release was written and distributed to the media. The press release featured general news from around the island, restaurant information and hotel packages.

^ Back to the top

 

Press Visits

We began discussing the possibility of a press visit in 2008 with Mr. Crai Bower, a freelance travel writer who writes for luxury travel publications including Forbes Traveler, Elite Traveler and Robb Report. Crai is currently considering writing a Bonaire article for a new luxury travel publication called Extravagant Style Magazine.
 
We confirmed the press visit of Mr. Zachary Stovall, Photography Editor of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine (circulation 155,000). While in Bonaire January 25-27, Zach will be shooting the photography that will accompany several Bonaire articles to be published throughout the year. Zach is also on assignment to write an article about the best hotel-front snorkeling in Bonaire.
 

We began discussing the possibility of a press visit to coincide with this year's Wounded Warrior visit with New York Daily News staff writer David Handschuh. The Daily News is the sixth largest newspaper in the USA and has daily a circulation of 718,174.

^ Back to the top

 

Editorial Highlights

About.com (online circulation)
Bonaire was featured on the About.com website on November 30, 2007 in response to a press release distributed by Adams Unlimited announcing plans for the Bonaire Hilton Resort & Spa.  Information about the size of the hotel, amenities, expected opening date and more were included in the article.  About.com is a Top 10 web property used by one out of every five people on the Internet, so this story can potentially reach nearly 21 million unique visitors per month.  About.com is also a part of the prestigious New York Times company.  This article is available online at http://gocaribbean.about.com/b/2007/11/30/hilton-coming-to-bonaire.htm.

Houston Chronicle (circulation 677,425)
In response to a press release written and distributed by Adams Unlimited featuring Fall hotel packages, Bonaire was featured in the December 2, 2007 edition of the Houston Chronicle.   Details about the Harbour Village Beach Club “Dive Into Luxury” package are listed, along with contact information for the resort.  This article is not available online.

Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel (circulation 500,000)
Through our continued contact with writer Carolina Miranda, Bonaire was featured in the January 2008 issue of Budget Travel magazine.  The article is targeted towards travelers looking to escape to the Caribbean for a long weekend and features various activities to do on several different islands.  Bonaire is highlighted for its diving, and the price and length of a resort course for those that aren’t certified is noted.  The price for a four-day certification class is also listed.  For travelers just looking to get their feet wet, Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer is noted for their private pier on a snorkeling reef.  Accommodation price and contact information for Bellafonte is listed.  This article is available online at http://budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content//article/2007/11/04/AR2007110401281.html.

Islands (circulation 200,000)
Ms. Tanya Burnett, who visited Bonaire on a press visit coordinated by Adams Unlimited in June 2007, wrote an article titled “The World’s 20 Best Snorkeling Experiences,” which appears in the December 2007 issue of Islands magazine.  Coming in at number one on the list is cave snorkeling in Bonaire.  The highlights include information about veteran cave explorer Henk Sanders, the glass-clear water filled with stalactites and stalagmites, price and contact information for Bonaire Dive & Adventure.  This article is not available online.

Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000)
In response to a media lead received from Caribbean Travel & Life, Adams Unlimited compiled and submitted a roundup of high season vacation packages.  As a result, three Bonaire packages were highlighted in the December 2007 issue of the magazine including a windsurfing package from Sonrisa Rooms & Apartments, a package created exclusively for the readers of CT&L from Harbour Village Beach Club and a dive package from Plaza Resort Bonaire.  All listings included details of the package, price and contact information.  This article is available online at http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article.jsp?ID=21018825&typeID=100&categoryID=69.

^ Back to the top

 

TCB Worldwide | South America Report

 

Bonaire hosting first diving groups from South America !

Carnival is the first high season of the year and it couldn't be better.  From Venezuela, Bonaire hosted many divers (more than one hundred), from different diving schools that arrived on island  Feb 01st to the 05th. Other groups, around one hundred, from Brazil are being reported by the tour operator Adventure Travel travelling on dates Feb 03rd to the 10th.

It promises to be a big Carnival party in Bonaire for these divers coming from Venezuela and Brazil, enjoying the pristine diving in our island.

^ Back to the top

 

Tech Diving in Bonaire promoted by DecoStop, Brazil >

The Brazilian diving magazine in its first edition of 2008, mentions Bonaire on its cover page under the title "Deep Bonaire" a perfect place for advanced divers. The press release was written by Sandro Nascimento from Arriba Tour Brazil.  More information, in our next entrenous.   

^ Back to the top

 

2008 Brazil & Venezuela holidays !!

Following are the key dates or long weekends, when Bonaire will welcome its South American visitors.
 
 
Venezuela:
 
Carnival Feb 04-05
Long weekend: Feb 01st to the 05th
 
Easter Week  Mar 20-21
Long weekend: Mar 19th to the 23rd 
 
Labor Day  May 01st
Long weekend: May 01st to the 04th
 
 
Carabobo Battle June 24th
Long weekend: June 20th to the 24th
 
Simón Bolivar's Anniversary July 24th 
Long weekend: July 24th to the 27th
 
 
Brazil:
 
Carnival Feb 05th 
Long weekend: Feb 01st to the 10th
 
Easter Week Mar 21st  
Long weekend: Mar 15th to the 22nd

Holiday (Tiradentes) Apr 21st 
Long weekend: Apr 18th to the 26th
 
Labor Day May 01st
Long weekend: Apr 26th to May 03rd
 
Corpus Christ May 22nd 
Long weekend: May 17th to the 24th
 
Holiday (Sao Paulo) July 09th

Long weekend:  Jul 05 to the 13th

^ Back to the top

 

"La Television" from Ecuador

The team from La Television Ecuavisa TV network was invited to come to the island with other media from Ecuador.  As result of the press fam last November 18th a special on Bonaire was aired for the TV viewers in Ecuador showing the location of the island, the beauty of its marine park, its people, languages, gastronomy, outdoor activities highlighting diving and windsurfing as top ten destination in the world.   To view in details the coverage of the program, click at http://www.tvecuador.com/.

"LA TELEVISION" is a magazine-style television show.  It has made more than 4.000 reports, traveling to more than 40 countries on five continents, producing high quality programs for the whole family.     

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire online Business Venezuela

At the end of November, this prestigious English online magazine made a report written by Marita Seara. 
 
"Bon Bini na Boneiru".  With these words, she welcomes her readers to know more about Bonaire, where you can relax and enjoy the sun and adventure. Bonaire is a Divers Paradise, a destination for an endless number of activities not only scuba diving, snorkelling or windsurfing but you may also paddle  a kayak in the mangrove, the quiet bay or to high seas for a real challenge, or to enjoy nature on a mountain bike tour.
 
Marita Siera quotes Captain Don, "Bonaire is to conservation as Greenwich is to time"

Her report online included a variety of underwater and topside pictures.  

^ Back to the top

 

El Carabobeño from Valencia, Venezuela

Last December 07th, a special about Bonaire was published in the tourism section of this important newspaper in the city of Valencia.  The article was titled "Bonaire Paraiso del Caribe ", and was written by Yanelys Gonzalez.  
 
Different from its sister islands, the journalist mentions that Bonaire is not a mass tourism destination. The island offers a special place to relax, far away from traffic and stress, having one of the best marine parks in the world, Bonaire is considered number one in the Caribbean for its shore diving.
 
A good description of accommodation on island was given. From five stars hotels to small properties highlighting Coco Palm Garden (its host hotel), Golden Reef Inn, Caribbean Club Bonaire and Bonaire Ocean Front, the island offers many choices.

The report ended with the airlift information.  It mentions Dutch Antilles Express with daily flights (except Saturday), from Valencia and daily flights from Caracas to Bonaire, all via Curacao.

^ Back to the top

 

Bonaire news...

Our January edition sent to our trade partners and general consumers, carries the latest information of Bonaire focused on: Hilton Bonaire Resort & Spa soon on island, Bonaire voted #1 dive destination for sixth year in a row in scuba diving magazine's readers' choice awards 2008, new boat for Bonaire Marine Park, Buddy Dive as one of the top ten dive resorts in the World by Hotel & Resort Insider an on-line travel industry media,  International Year of the Reef program (IYOR), announced by Bonaire, Bonaire Tourism Corporation launches its new official website www.tourismbonaire.com.

^ Back to the top

 

News from the Tourism Sector

 

Support Bonaire, Inc. Grants Over US$48,000 to Bonaire Charities in 2007

BOULDER, COLORADO, USA – February 11, 2008 – Support Bonaire, Inc., a U.S. non-profit organization created to help support Bonaire’s non-profit social and environmental efforts announced that its 2007 grants to various Bonaire non-profit organizations was US$48,913.90. Funding for Support Bonaire’s grants comes solely from individual donors who select from one of a series of special projects Support Bonaire has created to focus on particular needs on Bonaire. In some cases, donors may also request that Support Bonaire apply some part of their donation to their favorite charitable effort on Bonaire, a request that the Board of Directors of Support Bonaire typically honors.

During 2007, the top recipient of grants from Support Bonaire was the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary, thanks to several sizable donations by American donors to the Support Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary Project. Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, Unicollege, and the Lac Bay Monitoring project run by the non-profit Progressive Environmental Solutions organization were the next largest recipients of grants from Support Bonaire.

Other educational and nature organizations also benefited from the largess of donors to Support Bonaire. These organizations included STINAPA, the Bonaire Marine Park, the Bonaire Animal Shelter, the Accolade Foundation, Fundashon pa Bon Koraal, and the Zuster Maria Hoppner Foundation which cares for abused children and children from troubled homes.

While the amount of money distributed may seem like a lot of money, it is minor compared to the funding needs of many of Bonaire’s non-profit organizations, and donors of past years are encouraged to donate again this year and support their favorite charitable project on Bonaire.

The Board of Directors of Support Bonaire, Inc. has also announced that the Sea Monitor project has been added to the list of pre-approved funding projects. The Support Bonaire Sea Monitor project has been active on Bonaire since September 2007, and involves the installation and monitoring of sensors which monitor water quality and other aspects of water as a way of determining what impact run off and sewage is having on Bonaire's waters. More information about this project is available at the Support Bonaire web site at http://www.SupportBonaire.org.
 
A majority of the donations to Support Bonaire to support these varied causes mentioned above were donated on-line, via the Internet, at the Support Bonaire web site – www.SupportBonaire.org – where donations by credit card are accepted. 100% of all donations go directly to the target charities on Bonaire, as a small endowment received by Support Bonaire, Inc. some years ago is used to cover all administrative expenses. The Board of Directors of Support Bonaire, Inc. is composed entirely of volunteers, including island residents Jake Richter, Andy Uhr, and Linda Richter, as well as long-time Bonaire home owner and U.S. resident Ann Dederer, without whom Support Bonaire could not continue to operate. The web site space and operation is donated by Stroke of Color, Inc., a U.S. company. All of these contributions of time and resources keep operational costs to a minimum and allow for donated funds to be used 100% for projects on Bonaire.

It should be stressed that Support Bonaire, Inc. itself does not have funds to use to fund grants on Bonaire, but instead relies on American individual and corporate donors to provide funding for specific non-profit projects on Bonaire. Support Bonaire’s special non-profit charity status in the United States permits the organization to accept donations and fund non-profit efforts on Bonaire while allowing American donors to get a deduction on their taxes in the United States.

Support Bonaire, Inc. is an organization dedicated to helping fund non-profit environmental and social projects on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, by being a U.S. Internal Revenue Service-approved non-profit organization, which in turn allows donors to take a tax deduction on funds they donate to Support Bonaire, Inc. Support Bonaire, Inc.’s virtual offices can be found at http://www.SupportBonaire.org, and an on-line discussion group for the organization is located at http://www.BonaireTalk.com/sbi. The organization’s mailing address for monetary donations and other paper correspondence is PMB #340, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite E4, Boulder, Colorado 80302, U.S.A. Voice mail can be left at +1-303-484-4646, and FAXes can be sent to the same number. Contact via e-mail is preferred, at info@SupportBonaire.org.

^ Back to the top

 

2008 Underwater Cleanups Begin with Kralendijk’s Oceanside Promenade at Kas di Regatta >

Kralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, January 15, 2008- On Saturday, January 12, 2008, a group of over 25 divers, snorkelers, and shore support gathered together to assist with  underwater/shoreline cleanup of a portion of Bonaire's waterfront promenade.  This particular cleanup focused upon the shoreline and shallow waters in Bonaire's anchorage in front of Kas di Regatta (Regatta House).  This area has not been cleaned in 1-1/2 years, and so it was quite ready to be beautified once again.
 
After a comprehensive briefing by Susan Davis of NetTech explaining what trash to bring up and what to leave behind, the divers walked the short distance to the planned dive site, while their gear was transported for them.  There, they suited up and entered the water for the easy dive to clean the shallows under the yacht anchorage.
 
As their bags were filled, the divers and snorkelers brought them to those working shore support, who sorted the trash, checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it responsibly.  This small group of volunteers managed to bring up the following trash in just an hour or two:  51 pieces of plastic, including bottles, cups, utensils, rope, and even a cassette tape; 77 pieces of glass, including bottles, food jars, and other glass pieces; 4 rubber pieces; 33 pieces of metal, including cans and wire; 47 pieces of paper, many of which were leftover trash from fireworks on New Year's Eve; 2 pieces of wood and 13 pieces of cloth.
 
After the dive, all participants and their families were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ-Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, the sponsors of the quarterly Bonaire cleanups, provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes.
 
Images from this cleanup are available online at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery at http://www.bonaireinsider.com/index.php/gallery_bonaire/category/C49/.

The schedule of remaining 2008 cleanups is available at: http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/clean_up_dives.html.  All are welcome to join in.

^ Back to the top

 

Calendar of Events 2008

February 
    
24
   Little and Senior league season starts (S)
    Int’l Fishing Tournament (E+S)
24
   Rotarally, Rotary Club bonaire
    Proceeds go to various projects

March 
    
    Cycling Tour Dos Pos Bonaire Cycling Club
    5km Fun run time 08.00am
21
   Good Friday (H)
23
   Easter Sunday (H)
24
   Easter Monday (Banks and shops closed)

April 
    
1
   Simadan (Harvest) Festival Rincon (E+T)
    Karel’s Beach Bar Sailing Competition at Karel’s
5
   MCB RUN 17km (S)      
    Road Race 70 km Bonaire Cycle Club
12
   Clean Up Dive at Dive Friends Hamlet
30
   Queen's Birthday (H+E)
30
   Rincon's Day (H+E)
30
   Queen's Birthday Windsurfing Race  at Tolo (S)
30
   Queen’s Birthday race (S)

May 
    
1
   Labor Day (H)
1
   Queen's day Race(Aquaspeed)
1
   Ascension Day
2
   Festive auction dinner fundraiser
    Rotary Club Bonaire
11
   Pentecost
18
   10th Copa Julia (Aquaspeed)
    Dutch Antilles Windsurfing Challenge
21-24
   Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival
    Road Race 90 km
    5 km run Race Fun run (S)

June 
    
1-30
   Bonaire Dive Into Summer
    5 km pa association run(S)
    7thAngola Construction Sailing Competition
    At Kas di Rega)tta (S)
24
   St. John's Day (E, C+T)
29
   St. Peter's Day (E,C+T)

Notes
(H)= Holiday
(M) = Music
(C) = Culture
(E) = Events
(S) = Sports
(T) = Tradition
(V) = Vacation

Jan-Apr = Harvest Period (C,E+T)
Dates are subject to change!

^ Back to the top

 

General information

 

To unsubscribe or subscribe, go to http://www.bonaireentrenous.com/subscribe.html

Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Kaya Grandi #2
Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean
Tel: 599-7-8322/ 8649
Fax: 599-7-8408
E-mail: info@tourismbonaire.com
Web site address: www.tourismbonaire.com

Page hosted and maintained by BITS bv